Alphabets - This favorite kids' shape is usually used in soups for a fun meal anytime.

Macaroni ("Dumpling") - A highly versatile shape that can be topped with any sauce, baked, or put in soups, salads and stir-fry dishes.

Rotini ("Spirals" or "Twists") - Rotini's twisted shape holds bits of meat, vegetables and cheese, so it works well with any sauce, or you can use it to create fun salads, baked casseroles, or stir-fry meals.

Angel Hair, Capellini ("Fine Hairs") - Thin, delicate strands are best if used with thinner, delicate sauces. Other uses: break in half and put in soup; use in salads or stir-fry meals.

Manicotti ("Small Muffs") - Stuff Manicotti with a mixture of meat, cheese and vegetables, top with your favorite sauce, and bake. Or stuff and freeze for a later time.

Jumbo Shells - Best when stuffed with your favorite mixtures of cheese, meat and vegetables. Stuff with meat flavored with taco seasoning, top with salsa and bake for a delicious Mexican dish, or create your own stuffed treat.

Bow Ties, Farfalle ("Butterflies") - Bow Ties brighten any meal with their interesting shape. Thick enough for any sauce, or make into a salad or soup.

Medium Egg Noodles (From "Nudel," German meaning paste with egg) - This size of Egg Noodle can be baked, tossed in soups or salads, or topped with cream, tomato, cheese or meat sauces for a delicious meal.

Medium Shells, Conchiglie ("Shells") - Shells make a great addition to soups or as the base of a wonderful salad. Try remaking your favorite Macaroni and Cheese using Shells, for a fun twist on a time-honored tradition.

Ditalini ("Little Thimbles") - This versatile shape can be used as the base of any dish. Bake it, stir it into soups, or create great salads and stir-fry dishes.

Spaghetti ("A Length of Cord") - America's favorite shape, Spaghetti is the perfect choice for nearly any sauce, or it can be used to make casseroles or stir-fry dishes. Go beyond tomato sauce and see what your favorite becomes.

Fettuccine ("Small Ribbons") - Perfect for heavier sauces, like cheese, meat and tomato sauces. For variety, try breaking in half and putting in soups, or use for a salad.

Orzo ("Barley") - This small, grain shaped pasta can be topped with any sauce, added to soups, or baked as a casserole. Perfect as a side dish as well as a main course.

Vermicelli ("Little Worms") - Slightly thinner than Spaghetti, Vermicelli is good topped with any sauce, or as a salad or stir-fry ingredient.

Fusilli ("Twisted Spaghetti") - This long, spiraled shape can be topped with any sauce, broken in half and added to soups, or turned into a beautiful salad. Fusilli also bakes well in casseroles.

Penne, Mostaccioli ("Quills" and "Small Mustaches," respectively) - This tubular pasta goes well with sauce, used in salads, baked in casseroles, or made into stir fry dishes.